This medium-sized mall, located in the northern part of the Cincinnati area just off Interstate 275, was completed as an enclosed mall in the late 1960s, and has very much the 1970’s mall feel. The decor is in the 1990’s mall style from an obvious renovation sometime in the late 80s or early 90s. There is nothing spectacular or particularly interesting about the design or decor, except perhaps the fountain, shown below.
The store selection covers all the bases well, making this, in my mind, a very useful mall to live near. There are holdovers from the original tenancy (The Buckle, Foot Locker), 80s/90s additions (Suncoast, Victoria’s Secret), and common modern mall favorites (American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale). Anchors include Macy’s and Sears. There is also a Game Stop, Bath and Body Works, and other specialty shops, many of which are local. One thing I found a little perplexing was the presence of not one, not two, but FIVE separate jewelers. Kay, Zales, Hannoush, (two more).
The Food Court is modest, with the usual chinese restaurant, Great Steak and Potato, pizza, a japanese place, and a Subway. There is also a Ruby Tuesday. Plenty of other places nearby make for a wide dining selection in or near the mall.
This mall has a lot going for it, despite some closed up stores in one corner. It’s very accessible, even to an out-of-towner, it’s got a wide array of stores, including some that are getting harder to find (I always like hitting a Suncoast now and then, streaming movies notwithstanding), and plenty of food options in or nearby. It’s the kind of mall I love, but it’s also, sadly, the kind that’s dying off more and more these days. I’d call it a living and functional piece of mall history.
